Greater New Orleans

The types of bike lanes proposed by the Jefferson Parish Master Bicycle Plan, unveiled earlier this month. Different types of paths could affect existing land use -- the same issue that riled Tennessee lawmakers who opposed a bus transit system already in the planning stages.
(Dan Swenson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

But plans for eco-friendly transit often face push-back from communities and legislators. That was the case in Tennessee this week, where lawmakers approved a bill that would ban the construction of a rapid-transit system of buses, according to an article in The Tennessean. The $174 million system - referred to as "The Amp" - was nearly in place when senators passed the bill forbidding the "constructing, maintaining or operating any bus rapid transit system."

Just as in Jefferson's plan, the proposed transit changes were intended to spur economic development and reduce the number of cars on the road, according to Wired Magazine.

But opponents raised an issue that may also concern Jefferson residents going forward: the new bus system would require the re-dedication of land along bus routes. Whereas in Jefferson, neighborhoods might see parking spots transform into lanes for cycles, in Tennessee, opponents of the proposed system were concerned with the building of bus stops where passengers would wait, load, and unload from the buses.

Does the Jefferson Parish Master Bicycle Plan concern you? Are you concerned about communities that reject eco-friendly mass-transit options? Weigh in below.